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How Long Does a Spray Tan Actually Last?

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A quick online search of “spray tan fails” will bring forth a slew of somewhat frightening and tragic—yes, tragic—photos that will either make you laugh hysterically or cringe in embarrassment for people you’ve never even met. (Do it and you’ll see what we mean.) Luckily, these folks are the exception, not the rule. Streaky, botched jobs aside, a spray tan is a quick and safer way to fake a sun-kissed glow without exposing your skin to harmful UV rays. If skin cancer and premature skin aging are a top concern for you (and they should be), opting to receive your bronzed look with a fake tan is a novel idea. Another great perk of a spray tan is that you don’t have to sacrifice your glow at any point throughout the year, not even in the dead of winter.

It’s not surprising then that spray tans have become somewhat of an accessory for women worldwide, a second skin—if you will—particularly among Hollywood’s elite. Today, you’d be hard-pressed to find a top celebrity leaving home without their skin looking like they just spent the past week on an isolated beach somewhere. But guess what, they probably didn’t. For all the benefits a spray tan can bring, there is one drawback: Your tan will be short-lived. As the outer layer of your skin begins to naturally shed dead skin cells, it’ll take your fake tan along with it—typically 5-7 days after application. The good news is that there are guidelines and tips you can follow to prolong your spray tan for a wee bit longer.

HOW TO PROLONG YOUR SPRAY TAN

1. EXFOLIATE

Before going in for a professional spray tan or applying one yourself, you’ll want to prep your skin. Take the time to exfoliate beforehand to help remove dead skin cells and soften your skin. Spend extra time around thicker areas of skin, like knees and elbows. This step will help ensure that your tan goes on smoothly and evenly.

2. MOISTURIZE DAILY

Next up, you’ll want to moisturize the areas you just exfoliated to hydrate your skin. Continue moisturizing your skin daily post-tan to help your spray tan last longer. Your skin will look supple, as well. No complaints there.

3. AVOID CHLORINE

After your spray tan, avoid taking a shower or excessively sweating same day. Stay away from chlorinated swimming pools and hot tubs for at least 24 hours (if not longer) as the chlorine may accelerate the tan fading.

As always, make sure to follow all necessary steps pre and post-tan as instructed on product labels or by an aesthetician—lest you want your photo to land a spot on a search engine, too. We’ll take a wild guess and assume that’s not the case.

Jessica is a self-professed skin care junkie with a passion for experimenting with the latest beauty products and trends. As an employee of L’Oréal, she helps create engaging content for Skincare.com’s audience.